Heart surgery delay 'contributed to man's death'

A delay in surgery contributed to a heart patient's death, a coroner has ruled.

Thomas William Oldcorn, known as Bill, went to his local hospital in Preston on 1 August 2024 suffering from chest pain and a shortness of breath. After he was transferred to Blackpool Victoria Hospital about a month later, the 77-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest on 19 September.

Coroner Margaret Taylor concluded Mr Oldcorn had died "whilst awaiting delayed cardiac MRI investigation and coronary bypass surgery" and that the hospital's "inability to perform surgery within the national standard target times" had been a contributory factor.

The hospital trust said it was taking the coroner's report "very seriously".

The inquest heard that retired security officer Mr Oldcorn, from Broughton in Lancashire, was transferred to Blackpool Victoria Hospital on 4 September.

Tests revealed heart disease and he was referred for urgent in-patient surgery and further tests.

On 10 September Mr Oldcorn was reviewed by the consultant cardiac surgeon and a provisional date for surgery of 20 September was set.

His inquest at Blackpool Town Hall heard this "did not meet the national standard which recommends that in-patients awaiting surgery are treated within seven days of coronary angiography".

During the delay Mr Oldcorn's heart health deteriorated and he was pronounced dead on 19 September.

In a Prevention of Future Deaths Report, the coroner said evidence heard at the inquest in May had "revealed matters giving rise to concern".

"In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken," Ms Taylor said.

"Despite national targets of seven days from angiography to surgery, at the time of his death the waiting time for surgery was 14 days, and that has since risen to 17 days."

Ms Taylor warned there were "inadequate resources to meet the national target" at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

"On the balance of probabilities, had it been possible to perform cardiac surgery within the national standard target of seven days, Bill would not have died as a consequence of a cardiac arrest when he did," the coroner concluded.

Neil Hartly-Smith, chief medical officer at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, said: "I'd like to firstly offer our sincere condolences to the family of Mr Oldcorn and anyone affected by his passing.

"We have received the report from the coroner which we take very seriously, and would like to offer reassurance that we will be working through it to take any action needed in order to respond to the concerns raised."

The hospital has until 31 July to take action.

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